Why Hike The Gorgeous Laurel River Trail in NC

The Laurel River Trail is a largely flat, scenic, and pet and family-friendly hike near Asheville and Hot Springs, NC.

As Asheville locals, we love hitting the trails, and just like the beer, there certainly is no shortage of great hiking spots around the city, especially with the Blue Ridge Mountains and Pisgah National Forest right there.

It’s also no secret that the trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) are tourist hotspots, and rightfully so, as “America’s favorite drive,” filled with scenic overlooks, waterfalls, and breathtaking fall foliage hikes.

While we love the BRP, we are also a bit biased toward the Pisgah National Forest around the quieter Hot Springs and Marshall area.

Here, find Appalachian Trail access at places like Lover’s Leap and Max Patch along with some of our favorite and less-frequented WNC mountain towns for food and beer.

The Laurel River Trail near Hot Springs, NC is one of these great hikes – and also where the locals go to picnic, walk their dogs, and hang out on the rocks.

Below, uncover our firsthand experience hiking around Big Laurel Creek and this peaceful trail.

See what to expect, when to go, and what to do nearby – from Asheville locals. Let’s get started!

Read more about all of our top hikes around Asheville.

Easy pet & family-friendly hike, Laurel River Trail NC, featured photo with image of Big Laurel Creek next to pathway with rocks, trees in March, blue sky, and sun — Hike prepared with our guide to Laurel River Trail – from Asheville locals.

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All You Need To Know About Hiking The Laurel River Trail

Laurel River Trail, NC Quick Stats

Laurel River Trail and Big Laurel Creek in NC with image of cleared dirt area off of trail with log to sit on and place to start a campfire next to water — While the first mile of the trail starts as gravel, plan for mud, packed dirt, tree roots, and rocks further into the Pisgah National Forest.

Big Laurel Creek along Laurel River Trail, NC with water surrounded by end of winter bare trees with rocks and blue sky with sun — While the first mile of the trail starts as gravel, plan for mud, packed dirt, tree roots, and rocks further into the Pisgah National Forest.

Distance From Asheville, North Carolina: 40 minutes; 30 miles

Address: Currently labeled as “Laurel Creek Trail” on Google Maps (it’s technically, “Laurel River Trail;” not to be confused with the Laurel Creek Trail in TN). Make sure the trail is between Marshall and Hot Springs, NC.

Hike Difficulty: Easy; perfect for families and pets

Length: About 3.6 miles each way; because this is an out-and-back trail, hike as far as you like

Duration Of Hike: 2.5 to 3.5 hours+

Type Of Hike: Out and back; a few yellow blazes; gravel and packed dirt with tree roots and rocks; wet, slippery, and muddy, at times

Where To Stay Nearby: Marshall, Hot Springs, or Asheville

Why Hike This Trail? What Can You Expect?

Laurel River Trail, NC with image of blue sky, bare forest trees, greenish river, and rocky dirt trail — We enjoy this hike for the baby waterfalls, rapids, and peaceful water.

Laurel River Trail Hot Springs, North Carolina with image of cascading stream of water through rocks and moss — We enjoy this hike for the baby waterfalls, rapids, and peaceful water.

We are all about those Asheville day trips, and Big Laurel Creek is a gorgeous and popular area in Western North Carolina known for its Class III/IV rapids.

Even while hiking, you will see people whitewater rafting with the nearby adventure companies – many of whom are learning this daring skill. We’ve been tempted…

The Laurel River Trail follows along Big Laurel Creek to one of NC’s abandoned towns, Runion, a former logging area.

The trail used to be a railroad bed, carrying logs to Runion’s sawmill.

Today, crumpled foundations and those creepy North Carolina chimneys remain along with an active train track at the end.

Beginning along private property, hikers must stay on the gravel path for the first mile. A plethora of “private property” signs will ensure this; please always respect them.

This flat and easy portion of the trail is perfect for families with young children and is quite scenic with small rapids, falls, and the perfect lighting around the river bend.

As always, exert extreme caution with animals and children around the quickly moving rapids, though. Some of these currents are strong.

Laurel River Trail Yellow Private Property Signs along trail and riverbank with bare trees — Be sure to pay attention to the private property signs for the first mile.

Laurel River Trail, NC hike with white brunette male and female wearing sunglasses and light winter clothes in front of river and trees — Be sure to pay attention to the private property signs for the first mile.

After the first mile, enter the Pisgah National Forest, and pull over wherever you like, including small shore areas and large boulders to sit on.

In the summer months, visitors swim in calmer areas and picnic along the rocks. Wildflowers will pop up in the warmer months, too.

You’ll see the very occasional yellow trail blaze on trees, and the trail will transition from gravel to mostly packed dirt, rocks, tree roots, and muck.

Sometimes, downed trees and rocks fall over the trail, and there is a section or two of jagged rocks and streams to navigate over.

Overall, the trail is well-maintained, flat, and utterly peaceful. We’d feel safe solo hiking here. Just know that there are no facilities.

Since the trail isn’t on the BRP, which closes for icy weather, Laurel River makes for a great winter hike near AVL.

If you are hiking with the family, discover even more family-friendly things to do around Asheville.

How Do You Get To The Laurel River Trail Near Hot Springs, NC?

You might have to step around or through downed trees along the trail.

Big Laurel Creek in NC Whitewater Rapids along packed dirt trail surrounded by bare trees — You might have to step around or through downed trees along the trail.

As mentioned above, we couldn’t find “Laurel River Trail” on Google maps (this may change), but if you type in “Laurel Creek Trail (NC),” GPS should take you to the correct lot.

Coming from Downtown/North Asheville, take US 25N/Merrimon Ave. to US-19 BUS S/US-25 N toward Weaverville.

Turn left at the light and then a quick right to merge onto the highway, I-26 W/US-25 N/US-70 W toward Weaverville.

Take exit 19A to merge onto US-25 N/US-70 W toward Marshall, NC.

You’ll follow this winding road for about 21 miles until you see a gravel parking lot on the left. If you were to continue on, you’d head into Hot Springs, NC.

As a popular local trail, on weekends especially, the medium-sized lot may fill up – even in the cooler months. You might consider getting here early.

The Laurel River Trailhead will be on your left after pulling into/facing the lot.

While the trailhead is not clearly labeled, you will see a wide gravel pathway with a tree marked with “Private property” signs.

Stay on that path for 1 mile until the land becomes public.

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What Can You Do Nearby?

Visit Hot Springs or Marshall, NC

The Grey Eagle Taqueria at Big Pillow Brewing in Hot Springs North Carolina with white brunette male wearing a hat, black fleece, and glasses holding up a corn tortilla taco — Grab some tacos and a flight at Big Pillow Brewing with The Grey Eagle Taqueria.

We don’t know about you, but after a great hike, we are all about grabbing a bite to eat and a local craft brew.

Hot Springs (10 minutes from the trail) and Marshall (18+ minutes away) are two terrific small mountain towns filled with local shopping, cafes, and restaurants.

Hot Springs is, of course, most well-known for its actual hot springs, which you can enjoy at the Hot Springs Resort & Spa. This is also a popular camping area.

We recommend getting a bite to eat at Iron Horse Station Restaurant and Tavern or The Grey Eagle Taqueria at Big Pillow Brewing.

Walk the small town, and enjoy a coffee and art shop, the local library, and a specialty store/cafe.

Equally charming and small, spy historic buildings and homes in Marshall, dropping into Mad Co. for a beer and pizza. Walk across the bridge to the island and check out artist studios.

Lastly, if you are headed back to Asheville, consider dropping into Weaverville.

Weaverville’s attractions include Lake Louise – a gorgeous lake near AVL – a dog park bar (WagBar), delicious restaurants like Stoney Knob Cafe, and local craft breweries.

Hike The Appalachian Trail

Lover's Leap Hike NC Views with white brunette female looking over cliff at French Broad River, town of Hot Springs, NC, and mountains in Pisgah National Forest — Take in the views at nearby Lover’s Leap in Hot Springs, NC.

Just past the Big Laurel Creek area into Hot Springs, explore Lover’s Leap Trail. This moderate loop – just under 2 miles – intersects with the Appalachian Trail (AT).

Take a series of sharp switchbacks to climb to the top for gorgeous views before heading back down; you’ll feel like a billy goat.

Or, quite a bit further (about 50 minutes away), head to Max Patch, a gorgeous mountain bald that also intersects with the AT.

Choose between a 1.5-mile or 2.4-mile loop.